Grand plans for a grand mansion at Springfield

A NATURAL amphitheatre, an eco camp and new gardening museum are being considered as part of plans to boost visitor numbers to Carrick Hill.

The Carrick Hill Trust wants to increase annual visitor numbers to the historic mansion at Springfield from 60,000 to 100,000, over the next six to 10 years.

The goal is to make the former stately home, which was built from 1937-39 by Edward (Bill) Hayward and Ursula Barr Smith - members of two of Adelaide's wealthiest families - financially sustainable for the next two decades.

The trust has identified eight projects it believes can enhance the site, and has put out a tender calling for consultants to develop and cost plans for them. The tender documents identify that the popular wedding venue and tourist attraction could do with a spruce up.

While a permanent extension to the existing cafe is being considered, which could hold up to 180 people for weddings and other functions, a purpose-built function centre is not being considered.

The popular wedding venue could attract more nuptials in the future, with a possible third and fourth wedding location also being considered.

One of these could be in a new rose garden which could result from the possible donation this year of "a significant rose collection".

The two quarries on the border of the site are also being considered as venues for a performance space and an eco camp for use by students and other groups.